Standards
C.T.A. chords & key
- Key
- B♭ major
- Form
- AABA
- Bars
- 32
- Groove
- Up-tempo swing
- Time signature
- 4/4
“C.T.A.” is a jazz standard by Jimmy Heath. It is usually played in B♭ major as a up-tempo swing, and the 32-bar AABA form has 4 sections. Harmonically it contains 2 major ii–V–I cadences and 1 minor ii–V–i, uses 10 different chords and moves between the key centres B♭ major and C minor. The bridge uses the cycle of dominants known from Gershwin’s “I Got Rhythm” — so-called rhythm changes. In this atlas it appears on 1 album track.
Chord changes
Showing in: Concert (C) — B♭ major
Changes as commonly played (concert pitch). Your band's version may differ.
Harmonic analysis
Most used chords
- F7×14
- B♭6×7
- B♭7×6
- A♭7×6
- G♭7×6
- G7×6
Key centres reached by ii–V
B♭ major and C minor
Characteristics
- Rhythm changes
- AABA song form
Recorded on these albums
Standards with similar changes
Similarity of the chord progression, independent of key.
| Title | Key |
|---|---|
| Little Peace In C For You 42% | C major |
| Thriving From A Riff 39% | B♭ major |
| Anthropology 38% | B♭ major |
| Dexterity 38% | B♭ major |
| Moose The Mooche 38% | B♭ major |
| No Moe 38% | B♭ major |
| Oleo 38% | B♭ major |
| Passport 38% | B♭ major |
Frequently asked questions
What key is C.T.A. in?
C.T.A. is usually played in B♭ major. For B♭ instruments that is C major, for E♭ instruments G major.
Who wrote C.T.A.?
C.T.A. was written by Jimmy Heath.
What is the form of C.T.A.?
C.T.A. has 4 sections (AABA) with 32 bars in total.
How fast is C.T.A. played?
The usual groove is Up-tempo swing.
What are the chord changes to C.T.A.?
The opening bars are Bb7 Ab7 | Gb7 F7 | Bb7 Ab7 | Gb7 F7. The full chart above can be transposed to any key.